Very Interesting, Thanks Jim!Why would a bank ever let a property go to foreclosure when they could settle the issue and seemingly lose less money during the short sale process? What I experienced is that a bank can make more money at the public trough by letting the Federal Deposit Insurance Cor
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02/16/2010
Home Preparation Checklist If you're thinking of selling your home, keep in mind that buyers appreciate a clean look in the homes they view. You can increase the value of your home and decrease the time it takes to sell by making a few simple improvements. Aroma is the first thing prospective buy
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02/16/2010
Go It Alone--or Choose an Agent? Some homeowners decide to sell their homes themselves in order to save the commission charged by a real estate agent. The commission rate may vary, depending on where you live or what agency you choose, but it is generally upwards of 6%. However, handling your
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02/16/2010
If you've decided to sell your home, chances are you're caught up in a host of emotions. You may be looking forward to moving up to a new dream house or facing the uncertainty of a major move across country. You may be reluctant to leave your memories behind or eager to start new adventures. Wh
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02/16/2010
10 Things to Take the Trauma Out of Homebuying- Homebuying is not only a big financial commitment, but also an emotional one. It’s critical that the practitioner you choose is both skilled and a good fit with your personality. Remember, there’s no “right” time to buy, any more than there’s a r
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02/16/2010
What Not to Overlook on a Final Walk-through Be sure that: Repairs you’ve requested have been made. Obtain copies of paid bills and any related warranties. All items that were included in the sale price—draperies, lighting fixtures—are still there. Screens and storm windows are in place or stored
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02/16/2010
Know Your Credit Score In the past, it wasn't out of the question to obtain a mortgage with a FICO score in the low 500 range. In fact, if you were willing to accept the payment, you could even do so with little money down. Today, however, if you have a low FICO score, you may not be able to get
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02/16/2010
The easiest way to make money on a foreclosure home is to purchase one that needs some repairs (over $5,000.00) and apply for a 203k loan. The FHA (Federal Housing Administration) insures 203k loans and allows you to borrow a predetermined amount of money to finance repairs to your foreclosure ho
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02/13/2010
The closing date. See if the date the buyer wants to take title is reasonable for you. Date of possession. See if the date the buyer wants to move in is reasonable for you. The earnest money. Look for the largest earnest-money deposit possible; since it is forfeited if the buyer backs out, a la
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02/12/2010
Thanks Anna! On Presidents' Day we celebrate the birthdaysof George Washington (February 22, 1732)and Abraham Lincoln (February 12, 1809). Did you know: The greatest symbol of the U.S. presidency is the White House. It is also known as the People's House. It is the only private residence of a hea
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02/12/2010